Repairs after an accident.....

A

AlanJ

Elite
 North Yorks
After several posts on here about bad repairs by Insurance Company recommended repair agents I thought the following may be of interest to Forum members in the unfortunate event of a collision. It is your vehicle and you can choose who carries out the repairs. Many UK insurers have networks of their so called ‘approved’ repairers (where they have negotiated reduced costs and potentially reduced levels of quality and service – these repairers will have agreed set cost repair limits which may compromise quality of parts used – not OEM but pattern). They, your Insurer, will try and convince you to have your car repaired where they choose and which in terms of location may not be convenient for you especially if there are issues after the repair has been completed. This is for their convenience not yours and quite often their financial benefit.

Don’t be unduly influenced by insurer’s suggestions of potential delays and extra costs if you don’t comply with their wishes. You are entitled to consider the benefits of dealing with the repairer of your choice. Remember you are not obliged to have your car repaired at an insurance company nominated repairer so DON’T BE BULLIED. The association of British Insurers, The Financial Services Authority and the Office of Fair Trading agree that the choice of repairer is yours. There are very few exceptions to this rule.

As ever my advice is based on personal knowledge and given in good faith. If in any doubt and in the unfortunate event of a collision consult a local to you legal adviser or the local Citizens Advice Bureau.
 
To add to that - the only thing they can threaten you with is that you won't get a courtesy car unless you use their approved repair centres.
 
Good advice guys :thumbsup:

I would've added the point pvr makes as I noticed it in my most recent insurance info, but he beat me to it...
 
pvr said:
To add to that - the only thing they can threaten you with is that you won't get a courtesy car unless you use their approved repair centres.
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Thats all that happened to me when i had the front end repaired on the Calibra but they had no probs with me choosing the body shop.
 
After my non fault accident last year my insurance company recommended a local garage to repair my car, I'd never even heard of them! And as there was £11,000's worth of damage I wanted it done properly. So I had it taken to Sytner BMW in Sheffield. I told my insurance company it was being done there and they had no problems with it whatsoever. It didn't make the slightest bit of difference and they just said ok.
So don't feel obliged to take your car to a cheap back street garage just because they recommend it because it's cheaper for them.
 
Lucy said:
After my non fault accident last year my insurance company recommended a local garage to repair my car, I'd never even heard of them! And as there was £11,000's worth of damage I wanted it done properly. So I had it taken to Sytner BMW in Sheffield. I told my insurance company it was being done there and they had no problems with it whatsoever. It didn't make the slightest bit of difference and they just said ok.
So don't feel obliged to take your car to a cheap back street garage just because they recommend it because it's cheaper for them.
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EXACTLY....... :thumbsup:
 
It's a difficult choice - I haven't been impressed with dealer service. Perhaps the approved "back street" repairer who is competing for the insurer's business will offer a service better than the lazy dealer who gets his business walk in. They'd be as good as each other in theory but for better training for the BMW employees and perhaps more keen to win business from the independents. I think I'd go main dealer but still take references to find a good one.

I had a serious (fault) accident causing a near write off in the 90s and my insurer sent it to their approved repairer - the car came back perfect. The back street repairer (literally was back street) collected the car from the AA and delivered it back to me fixed. I think a dealer repair might have pushed the repair cost to the point of write off. They were established in the 40s and still in business today :-)
 
I think you will find that few main agent dealers have their own body and paint shops, it's worth asking where it will be done. Wherever you have it done INSIST that only original and not pattern parts are used and get it confirmed in writing.
 
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